The Reasons Prince Andrew Has Surrendered His Royal Titles – and the Implications for the Royal Family

Through a announcement issued by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has confirmed that he will be giving up his royal titles, such as his dukedom. Here is an overview of what has been announced – and what wasn't.

What Has the Prince Said?

Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, Andrew has now decided to “take additional measures” and agree to refrain from using the “honor or the awards which have been granted to” him.

However, he used the statement to make a point of rejecting – as he has always done – the accusations of sexual impropriety made against him; even though having paid out a substantial sum to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he admitted no liability and firmly denied any claims of wrongdoing.

There has been ongoing scrutiny on the monarchy regarding the claims involving the prince – particularly after his ill-fated Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states he is acting to safeguard the royal family from further damage caused by media scrutiny.

Did the Monarch Stripped Him of His Honors?

No. And although this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it holds importance in two respects: first, it allows Andrew to publicly claim to have acted honourably in support of the crown. As stated in his statement: “I have chosen, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and the nation first.”

Second, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, Andrew retains his ducal title, along with the honors the Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh and the esteemed position as Royal Knight Companion of the prestigious order. Similar to the His Royal Highness honorific, they are effectively dormant.

He continues to be a prince and eighth in succession to the throne. In theory, he remains still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the king should he be abroad or unwell. Although royal officials has made clear that, realistically, he will not be called upon to fulfil this role.

Nevertheless, it is telling that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “in discussion with the king”. There seems highly likely that, privately, the palace pushed for this in the hope of distancing the institution from Andrew.

Why Was He Not Been Officially Stripped of All of His Titles?

To forcibly remove a dukedom would take legislative action, and would constitute an unprecedented step in full view of the public – it has not happened to a high-ranking royal in over a century – that it would likely cause more harm to the image for the monarchy.

Andrew is also a royal by birth. When he was born in 1960, he became as the child of the sovereign. This would only be changed if a letters patent was enacted by the king.

The entire procedure could end up being protracted, meaning the goal of quickly addressing the matter – at least for the monarchy's interests – would not necessarily be achieved.

What Are the Implications for Andrew?

Humiliation, likely above all. The statement signifies an effective loss of standing he has resisted for a long time.

The prince and his former spouse, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding reported efforts by his brother to encourage his brother to move out of the 30-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.

While little light has been revealed about exactly how much funds Andrew has received due to his position, he remains a wealthy individual. In 2007, he managed to raise £15m from the sale of a property that had been a gift from his mother, for example.

What Prompted This?

The seemingly endless series of controversies involving Andrew has become unacceptable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.

His friendship with the jailed child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has again in the headlines after it emerged that the prince stated to him “we are in this together” in a message sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ended communication.

There have also been stories about his association with an alleged intelligence operative and, this week, excerpts appeared from the posthumous memoir of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She alleged the prince “thought that engaging sexually with her was his birthright”.

Moreover, the sovereign is scheduled to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff next week, when he will become the initial British king after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the Holy Father and leader of Catholicism. He would not desire that visit to be marred by further adverse coverage about his brother.

What Has Been the Reaction?

While he said Giuffre had been “justified” by the decision, Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts has told a newspaper that Andrew’s honorary prince title ought to be removed for “true justice” to be achieved.

The anti-monarchist advocacy organization Republic has additionally stated the move is “too little, too late”, adding: “Andrew remains facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of office. He ought to be stripped of every honor and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Not using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that matches the accusations.”